IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma retirements will hurt India in England, feel Matthew Hayden and Graeme Smith
Cricket legends
and
predict India will face significant challenges in the upcoming five-match Test series against England starting Friday at Headingley, citing the retirements of
and
as a major loss of experience for the touring side. The series will see
leading India in testing English conditions.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The Indian team's batting lineup will be notably less experienced following the retirement announcements of both Kohli and Rohit from Test cricket last month.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
"I feel India are really going to struggle. Shubman Gill is a young captain coming to this hostile environment, seaming conditions, bouncing conditions. It's going to be a real challenge, it's actually absolutely the litmus test as a touring team," Hayden told the ICC.
Shubman's Big Test Begins! India's Probable XI & Stokes' Mind Games | ENG vs IND 1st Test Preview
"Generally touring teams come here and it is polar opposite conditions to what you are used to as fundamentally as a player, be it young or old. So lots of adjustments, so I predict that England, let me tell you, are a going to have a pretty good party at the end of that series," the former Australia opener added.
Quiz:
"England at home, they really do play well at home. They understand the conditions and get the best out of it.
I think it's going to be a challenge for Shubman and his team, lost a lot of experience, got to come here and that pressure shifts onto different people..." Smith said.
"I think Bumrah is going to carry a huge amount of the bowling attack. So I think England will have the better of India in these conditions," Smith further stated.
The Indian team will also be without R Ashwin, who retired after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane last December.
India's Test series victories in England have been rare, with only three successful campaigns in 1971, 1986, and 2007 since bilateral engagements began in 1932.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy: Why fans are divided over IND-ENG series rename?
The announcement to rename the Pataudi Trophy to the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy has sparked widespread debate within the global cricketing community. Far from being a simple rebranding, the move has raised deeper questions about respect, legacy, and the future of cricket's rich traditions. What was the Pataudi Trophy? Introduced in 2007, the Pataudi Trophy commemorated 75 years since India's first Test series in England. Named after the illustrious Pataudi family, it celebrated both Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the only cricketer to represent both England and India in Tests, and his son, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, fondly remembered as 'Tiger.' Tiger Pataudi was not just a charismatic leader but also a pivotal figure in shaping a unified, proud Indian team during the 1960s and '70s. In early June 2025, the ECB and BCCI jointly announced the renaming of the trophy to honour Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, modern-day legends of Indian and English cricket, respectively. Tendulkar, with 200 Test caps, and Anderson, with over 700 wickets, represent unmatched longevity and excellence in the game. According to officials, the move was intended to make the contest more relatable to younger fans and align with the current trend of celebrating contemporary icons. There is also speculation that the MCC, which originally helped institute the Pataudi Trophy, may have subtly opposed the change. Why Tiger Pataudi Still Matters Tiger Pataudi's contribution to Indian cricket goes far beyond numbers. As former players like Sunil Gavaskar and Erapalli Prasanna have noted, he instilled a sense of national pride, encouraged unity across regional divides, and redefined how Indian cricketers saw themselves, as a cohesive, competitive force. Bishan Singh Bedi once called him 'the best thing to happen to Indian cricket.' For many, his legacy isn't just historical, it's foundational. The Pataudi family expressed disappointment over the decision. Sharmila Tagore, Tiger's widow, criticized the lack of consultation, revealing that while her son, actor Saif Ali Khan, was informed by the ECB, the family had no input in the decision. Cricketing legends like Gavaskar condemned the move as tone-deaf, warning against disregarding history for short-term relevance. Harsha Bhogle also highlighted the symbolic bridge the Pataudi name formed between two cricketing cultures. The Real Issue: Legacy vs. Marketing The Pataudi Trophy wasn't just a title, it stood for the shared, complex history between India and England. By replacing it with a name tied to recent stars, many believe cricket risks losing its sense of heritage in favour of brand appeal. The backlash highlights that while Tendulkar and Anderson are icons, legacy isn't something to be rewritten lightly. Sachin Tendulkar reached out to Pataudi family Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar revealed on Thursday that he contacted the family of the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi immediately after learning about the renaming of the India-England Test series trophy. He said he wanted to make sure that Pataudi's legacy remained a part of the prestigious contest. The Pataudi Trophy has now been replaced by the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, named in honor of Tendulkar and former England fast bowler James Anderson. The decision to retire the Pataudi Trophy was made jointly by the BCCI and the England and Wales Cricket Board. "I know that the Pataudi Trophy was retired a few months ago by BCCI and ECB. But when I got to know about the trophy being named after me and (James) Anderson, my first phone call was to the Pataudi family," the Mumbai maestro recalled in an interview to PTI. "Tiger Pataudi played a huge role in inspiring many generations and that should be never forgotten. So I'm glad with this outcome," the 52-year-old, who is still the owner of highest number of Test runs, said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27 minutes ago
- Business Standard
ENG vs IND: Why are India and England players wearing black armbands?
Cricket briefly took a backseat on Friday as India and England come together to honour the victims of the devastating Ahmedabad air tragedy ahead of the first Test at Headingley. Both teams observed a minute's silence and are wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives. The tragic incident took place on June 12, when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, killing 274 people. The victims included 181 Indian nationals and 53 British citizens, making the tribute especially meaningful for both sides. India vice-captain Rishabh Pant expressed the team's sorrow, acknowledging the nation's pain and emphasizing their desire to bring some joy back through their performance. 'The emotions are high, but we'll give our best for the country,' Pant said. The crash, which shocked both nations and the global cricketing community, occurred when the aircraft lost control and hit a hostel at B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad. Only one person reportedly survived.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Sudharsan 1st Indian player in 38 years to debut with sub-40 FC average
Sai Sudharsan marked his Test debut for India in the opening match of the five-Test series against England at Headingley on Friday. The left-handed batter entered the international red-ball arena with a first-class average of 39.93—placing him in a rare statistical category for Indian top-order batters. Remarkably, Sudharsan becomes the first Indian top-order player in over three decades to make a Test debut with a first-class average below 40. The last instance dates back to 1987/88, when Woorkeri Raman debuted against the West Indies in Chennai with a sub-40 average. Check India vs England 1st Test full scorecard and match details here Sai Sudharsan Career Stats Format Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct ODIs 3 3 1 127 62 63.5 142 89.43 0 2 17 1 1 T20Is 1 - - - - - - - - - - - 0 FC 29 49 0 1957 213 39.93 3554 55.06 7 5 205 10 20 List A 28 27 4 1396 154 60.69 1460 95.61 6 6 153 17 8 T20s 60 59 7 2271 108* 43.67 1645 138.05 2 14 228 56 16 Despite the modest number, Sudharsan's inclusion reflects India's faith in his temperament and recent form. Known for his calm presence and elegant strokeplay, the 22-year-old has already made an impression in domestic cricket and limited-overs internationals. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from Tests, India's batting line-up is undergoing a significant transition. Sudharsan's promotion to the No. 3 spot signals a bold move by the team management, as India looks to build its next generation of red-ball mainstays. All eyes will now be on Sudharsan to convert potential into performance in challenging English conditions.
